1976

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 * 1976-01-01 - THE STONE PONY, ASBURY PARK, NJ**

No set details known. Bruce, as well as E Street Band members Steven Van Zandt and Roy Bittan, turn up at a New Year's Day evening performance by Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes. All three end up taking the stage for an extensive, spirited set of oldies. Van Zandt, who at the time was in the studio with Southside and the Jukes producing their debut album //I Don't Want To Go Home//, actually took the lead vocal on several numbers.


 * 1976-02-00 - THE RECORD PLANT, NEW YORK CITY, NY**

Sessions for Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes' work-in-progress debut album //I Don't Want To Go Home//, produced by Steven Van Zandt. Springsteen was present at some of these sessions, particularly during the recording of his composition “You Mean So Much To Me” and he is officially credited on the album as a co-arranger of his two donated songs. Clarence Clemons provided the bass vocal on the other song, “The Fever” but is credited under the fake name of “Selmon T. Sachs”. The album was to be released in May 1976.


 * 1976-03-07 - BEACON THEATRE, NEW YORK CITY, NY**

THE LOCO-MOTION

Bruce makes a spur-of-the-moment stage appearance at the final night of Carole King’s three-night residency, singing a rollicking duet with Carole on the evening’s encore, “The Loco-Motion”. There is no circulating audio of this song.


 * 1976-03-21 - THE STONE PONY, ASBURY PARK, NJ**

RAISE YOUR HAND

After an eleven week break over the holiday period Bruce & The E Street Band conduct a dress rehearsal performance in preparation for the second leg of the Born To Run Tour (the so-called Chicken Scratch Tour). Only about three hundred invited guests are in attendance. The exact set details are not known, although most of the //Born To Run// album was played as well as “Raise Your Hand”.

Start of the Second Leg of the "Born to Run" Tour (also known as the "Chicken Scratch" Tour)


 * 1976-03-25 - TOWNSHIP AUDITORIUM, COLUMBIA, SC**

NIGHT / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / IT'S MY LIFE / SHE’S THE ONE / BORN TO RUN / GROWIN’ UP / IT’S HARD TO BE A SAINT IN THE CITY / JUNGLELAND / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY)

Partial setlist is known. Bruce's first ever appearance in South Carolina. Opening night of the second leg of the Born To Run Tour, soon nicknamed by the road crew as the “Chicken Scratch Tour” because of the high proportion of secondary market, southern state locations. The above-mentioned partial ten-song setlist is culled from post concert details in the city’s newspaper and the recollections of those present. The song sequence is correct but there were four or five songs sandwiched in between these that are unverified, including in all likelihood "Thunder Road", "Backstreets", and the encores. This show was not a sellout.

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 * 1976-03-26 - FOX THEATRE, ATLANTA, GA**

NIGHT / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT / IT'S MY LIFE / THUNDER ROAD / SHE'S THE ONE / BORN TO RUN / IT'S HARD TO BE A SAINT IN THE CITY / **BLINDED BY THE LIGHT** / **FRANKIE** / BACKSTREETS / JUNGLELAND / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) / DETROIT MEDLEY / QUARTER TO THREE

No complete set details known. Above setlist gleaned from a mixture of newspaper reports and recollections from fans present. The //Atlanta Journal-Constitution// reported a 2½ hour show and a near-capacity crowd at this tiny, picturesque venue. A fan (on the Greasy Lake website) recalls 'This was my first Springsteen show and my first trip into Atlanta by myself (I was 18). This unfortunately led to me and my buddies getting lost and missing the first of the show. A guy sitting behind us told us he had opened with "Night". After getting settled in our seats Bruce began the familiar harmonica intro to "Thunder Road". A high energy version followed and this led right into "Born To Run". Since all this happened almost thirty years ago now I can't remember the order in which he played everything but he for sure played "It's Hard To be A Saint In The City" (a great guitar battle between him and Miami Steve), "Blinded By The Light" (he looked over the album cover before starting and said "OK, I got it."), "Backstreets", "Jungleland", an early version of "Frankie" (playing a wooden block with a drum stick for percussion), "4th Of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)" (the angels on their Harleys version) and "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)". He did both the "Detroit Medley" and "Quarter To Three" for encores and ended the night on his knees screaming, "I'm just a prisoner... of rock & roll!" I've never been the same and wouldn't want it any other way.' Assuming these recollections are accurate, this show features the earliest known version of "Frankie" and first known tour appearance of "Blinded By The Light".

No audio known to circulate.


 * 1976-03-27 - RADIO STATION WQXI-FM, ATLANTA, GA**

Bruce and Miami Steve visit the station for an hour-long live interview with DJ Cat Simon that was intermixed with both of them playing some of their favorite records for the listening audience.

None of this program’s audio appears to be circulating among collectors.


 * 1976-03-28 - CAMERON INDOOR STADIUM, DUKE UNIVERSITY, DURHAM, NC**

NIGHT / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / IT'S MY LIFE / THUNDER ROAD / SHE'S THE ONE / BORN TO RUN / MEETING ACROSS THE RIVER / BACKSTREETS / BLINDED BY THE LIGHT / JUNGLELAND / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) / **RAISE YOUR HAND** / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) / DETROIT MEDLEY / QUARTER TO THREE

The above presumably complete setlist is culled from the audience recording (which contains the full set, save for "Quarter To Three", information from a May 20, 1976 report in //Rolling Stone//, and a brief review in Duke University's student newspaper. A Brucebase reader present also adds that he recollects "It's My Life" and that "I distinctly remember looking down the row of people and seeing that every single one of them had their mouths open (as did I) in stunned silence, mesmerized by the story and the music. It was thrilling." This is one of only a few shows in which all eight songs from the //Born To Run// album are performed. First confirmed public Springsteen performance of "Raise Your Hand," and the recording supports that claim as Springsteen calls out chord changes to the band. "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" includes a snippet of "Theme From Shaft" in the midsection. Some sources suggest that "Kitty's Back" was played, but there is no evidence of it on the audience recording.

Audience tape from the ER archives via JEMS, released as part of the silver set 'Frankie Goes To Cleveland' (Masterpiece) and on CD 'Run South, Young Man' (Godfather). The tape entered circulation in August 2012, prior to this there was no circulating audio.


 * 1976-03-29 - OVENS AUDITORIUM, CHARLOTTE, NC**

IT’S MY LIFE / THUNDER ROAD / BORN TO RUN / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) / DETROIT MEDLEY

Complete setlist is not known. There is no known audio from this show. The above-mentioned tracks are mentioned as having been performed in a review the following day in the //Charlotte Observer//. This was a last-minute addition to the tour itinerary, arranged on only five days notice by a local promoter who became aware Springsteen had an open date available following the Duke University gig. Despite the lack of pre-event promotion Bruce pulled in an enthusiastic, near-sellout crowd of 2,400.


 * 1976-04-01 - MEMORIAL AUDITORIUM, OHIO UNIVERSITY, ATHENS, OH**

THUNDER ROAD / SHE'S THE ONE / BORN TO RUN / BACKSTREETS / JUNGLELAND / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) / DETROIT MEDLEY

Held in the school's Memorial Auditorium. There was non-reserved seating for this show, which caused mayhem leading up to the venue opening its doors. The partial setlist above is from the confident recollection of Brucebase reader Daniel, who further comments, "The concert was scheduled for around 7:00pm...folks started lining up outside at about 4:30pm. By 7:00pm I'd estimate there were over a thousand people outside and the doors were still shut. At about 7:10 there was commotion up front and I remember seeing one of the doors get literally torn from the hinges - and these were big, heavy wood doors! The next minutes were a blur, seeing one girl getting pushed into the glass marque-poster cases, seeing another girl who fainted getting passed overhead…the mad rush to get a good seat”. Brucebase reader Bob, who also attended comments “Suddenly the doors opened and we were pushed in so I raced to the front and got two seats. I remember the show was a little too loud in the front row, but it was amazing. The night before the show Springsteen went to my favourite bar (Swanky's) and hung out. I didn't go that night. I saw his picture in the paper the next morning standing where I usually went to drink”.

There is no known audio from this show. include component="page" page="content_help_us" wrap="1"


 * 1976-04-02 - MACAULEY THEATRE, LOUISVILLE, KY**

IT'S MY LIFE / JUNGLELAND / FOR YOU / DETROIT MEDLEY / RAISE YOUR HAND

Partial setlist known. A reader present recalls "My seat was third or fourth-row center but we stood all night. My journal entry doesn't have a list but it mentions a long story intro to "It's My Life", a solo piano version of "For You" that began the second encore followed by a Mitch Ryder medley and "Raise Your Hand" (which I'd never heard before). I see that the April 4 show claims it was the first "Raise Your Hand" but it looks like he played it in Louisville two days earlier. My journal entry says: "Bruce's last words: I'm just a prisoner... of rock'n'roll!". In fact it now seems the earliest known "Raise Your Hand" was March 28 in Durham, NC. A contributor to the Greasy Lake website notes that the set includes "Jungleland".

No audio is known to circulate.


 * 1976-04-04 - MSU AUDITORIUM, MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY, EAST LANSING, MI**

NIGHT / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / IT'S MY LIFE / THUNDER ROAD / SHE'S THE ONE / BORN TO RUN / FRANKIE / MEETING ACROSS THE RIVER / BACKSTREETS / GROWIN' UP / IT'S HARD TO BE A SAINT IN THE CITY / JUNGLELAND / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) / RAISE YOUR HAND / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) / DETROIT MEDLEY / QUARTER TO THREE

Show features "Thunder Road" with a new piano introduction. 18-song set includes a rare version of "Meeting Across The River", which is the full-band version rather than a solo piano rendition previously used, and wonderful versions of "It's My Life" and "Frankie". "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" features an extended mariachi-style introduction and a snippet of "Theme From Shaft" in the midsection. This is also one of the few known times that the whole of the //Born To Run// album is played. Click the link above to read a review of the show from the //Michigan Daily//, 'Springsteen underwhelms MSU', as well as a more positive report from the //Michigan State News//.

Tapeboy was responsible for the excellent audience recording, and he had the following recollections of the show: “This was my third time seeing Bruce and my first time successfully getting my recorder into the show. It is arguably my best recording set up as well: the Sony 153SD cassette deck and Advent dynamic stereo mics. I also got my camera and a couple of lenses in...ahh...those were the days. MSU Auditorium was (is?) a gymnasium-type place with a U-shaped, single-level balcony surrounding the seats set up on the floor, where we were in the 11th row. This show featured all of //Born To Run// in an era before full-album shows. It was also the first time I'd heard Bruce play 'It's My Life', 'Raise Your Hand' and the brand new 'Frankie,' which featured Bruce on cowbell and pointed in a songwriting direction away from the sound of //Born To Run//. 'It's My Life' was stunning, virtually unrecognizable until the chorus, and prompting a standing ovation midway through the song as the band completed the first chorus. Despite Bruce saying on the current River tour that 'Independence Day' was his first song about fathers and sons (and what about 'Adam Raised A Cain'?), clearly the spoken beginning of 'It's My Life' is where he first visited this theme. We left the show knowing we'd seen a great one, and thinking that a new album must be just around the corner; it was unimaginable that Darkness was still over 2 years away!”

Audience tape and partial soundboard. The audience recording is available from the JEMS masters, and is a fine upgrade over previous sources such as CDs 'Livin' Rock 'n' Roll' (Real Thing), 'Hidden Worlds That Shine' (E Street) and Ev2's remaster of the latter titled 'Rise Like the Rain'. CDR 'Come Out Tonight Lansing' on the Midnight Dreamer label utilises the JEMS source. One of the best recordings from the tour and a fine show. The incomplete soundboard is comprised of twelve songs, starting with "Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out" and ending after "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)". There are cuts in "Frankie" and "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)".


 * 1976-04-05 - OHIO THEATRE, COLUMBUS, OH**

TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / NIGHT / INCIDENT ON 57TH STREET / THUNDER ROAD / SHE'S THE ONE / BORN TO RUN / PRETTY FLAMINGO / BACKSTREETS / GROWIN' UP / IT'S HARD TO BE A SAINT IN THE CITY / JUNGLELAND / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) / RAISE YOUR HAND / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) / DETROIT MEDLEY / QUARTER TO THREE

Following "Backstreets" Bruce talks about the last time he was at the Ohio Theatre in December 1972, when he opened for Sha Na Na. This show was apparently rescheduled from late 1975 due to poor ticket sales. A complimentary review of the show was in a local Columbus entertainment newspaper called //Focus//, dated April 15-30, 1976. "Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out" opens, and the set includes the first known "Pretty Flamingo" of 1976. "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" includes a snippet of "Theme From Shaft" in the midsection.

Audience tape. Unfortunately, the quality is only average and suffers from distortion during loud sequences. Despite flaws, the recording is perfectly listenable. The tape is nearly complete, with edits at the end of "Incident On 57th Street" and "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)", and most of "Thunder Road" missing.


 * 1976-04-06 - RADIO STATION WMMS-FM, CLEVELAND, OH**

Live interview broadcast hosted by Kid Leo, one of Springsteen’s earliest and most supportive radio DJs. The exact structure and length of this interview program is unclear, as the audio does not appear to be circulating among collectors.


 * 1976-04-07 - ALLEN THEATRE, CLEVELAND, OH**

NIGHT / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / IT'S MY LIFE / THUNDER ROAD / SHE'S THE ONE / BORN TO RUN / INCIDENT ON 57TH STREET / FRANKIE / BACKSTREETS / GROWIN' UP / IT'S HARD TO BE A SAINT IN THE CITY / BLINDED BY THE LIGHT / JUNGLELAND / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) / DETROIT MEDLEY / QUARTER TO THREE

Bruce skips the "and now in Zanzibar..." verse of "Blinded By The Light". "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" features a snippet of "Theme From Shaft" in the midsection.

Soundboard tape released on CD 'Live At The Allen Theatre' (BS), and 'Runners In The Night' (Doberman). A version from a first or second generation reel also circulates, as does a JEMS transfer from what is believed to be a second generation tape. The latter is the one to get, a material upgrade over all other circulating tapes. The JEMS transfer was also released on silvers as part of 'Frankie Goes To Cleveland' (Masterpiece). Eleven tracks (from "Frankie" to the end) are on CD 'Prove It All Night' (Flashback), please note that the date and location listed on the artwork of this CD (May 10, 1976 in Mobile, AL) are incorrect.


 * 1976-04-08 - ALLEN THEATRE, CLEVELAND, OH**

NIGHT / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / IT'S MY LIFE / THUNDER ROAD / SHE'S THE ONE / BORN TO RUN / INCIDENT ON 57TH STREET / WHEN YOU WALK IN THE ROOM / FRANKIE / BACKSTREETS / GROWIN' UP / IT'S HARD TO BE A SAINT IN THE CITY / JUNGLELAND

Incomplete setlist, likely to be missing "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" and the encores. Bruce slips a few lyrics from "Talk To Me" into the introduction to "She's The One". Set includes rare version of "When You Walk In The Room", only known to have been played once in 1976 and never again until 2009.

Soundboard tape of good (albeit flat) sound dominated by bass guitar is available on CDR 'Leaving The Allen In Rubble' (BTS5) and 'Frankie Goes To Cleveland - Volume 2' (Unknown Label).


 * 1976-04-09 - REID ATHLETIC CENTER, COLGATE UNIVERSITY, HAMILTON, NY**

NIGHT / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / IT'S MY LIFE / THUNDER ROAD / SHE'S THE ONE / BORN TO RUN / INCIDENT ON 57TH STREET / FRANKIE / BACKSTREETS / GROWIN' UP / IT'S HARD TO BE A SAINT IN THE CITY / BLINDED BY THE LIGHT / JUNGLELAND / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) / RAISE YOUR HAND / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) / DETROIT MEDLEY / QUARTER TO THREE

19-song set includes "Blinded By The Light". "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" features an extended mariachi-style introduction and a snippet of "Theme From Shaft" in the midsection. A surprise concert for the university students, arranged the week before and announced on April 5 with tickets going on sale the same day, just after students returned from Spring Break. Tickets were initially only available to Colgate students, an additional 600 tickets went on sale to the general public the night of the show. Held in Starr Hockey Rink at the University's Reid Athletic Center. Despite almost selling out, the event was a run at a loss for the University with Springsteen's $15,000 fee added to the costs of publicity, rented seats, and generators, since Colgate's facilities could not provide the power required for sound and lights. Total costs to the Social Committee was $20,000, the most ever paid out for a concert at Colgate at the time. According to the //Colgate Maroon//, committee officials felt the return justified the expense.

Audience tape.


 * 1976-04-10 - PAUL MELLON ARTS CENTER, CHOATE ROSEMARY HALL, WALLINGFORD, CT**

NIGHT / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / IT'S MY LIFE / THUNDER ROAD / SHE'S THE ONE / BORN TO RUN / PRETTY FLAMINGO / INCIDENT ON 57TH STREET / FRANKIE / BACKSTREETS / GROWIN' UP / IT'S HARD TO BE A SAINT IN THE CITY / JUNGLELAND / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) / RAISE YOUR HAND / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) / DETROIT MEDLEY

A special concert played at the request of John Hammond, who was close friends with the family of a Rosemary Hall resident. As a result Springsteen performed for a substantially lower fee than usual. Bruce slips a few lyrics from "Talk To Me" into the introduction to "She's The One". "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" includes the "Come A Little Bit Closer" introduction and a snippet of "Theme From Shaft" in the midsection. A Springsteen show regular who attended has commented to Brucebase: "There was no advertising as far as I know. I used to call Mike Appel's office to get Bruce news and they told me. A few other diehards also learned of the show, so the first few rows were full of Springsteen dignitaries who got there plenty early. With my tickets I had Joe Kivak, Simon Montgomery and a female friend of his, a guy named Ernie and his friend, Ed Sciaky. Bruce was blown away when Sciaky showed up backstage. Also up front were Kennie Viola, founder of //Thunder Road// (fanzine), and some friends of his. Bruce seemed real pleased to see friendly faces at such a strange venue”.

Audience tape that encompasses the complete 18-song performance, recorded by Joe Kivak. This tape now circulates from the master cassettes on CDR 'Walk Softly Tonight' (Fanatic).


 * 1976-04-12 - CAMBRIA COUNTY WAR MEMORIAL ARENA, JOHNSTOWN, PA**

NIGHT / BLINDED BY THE LIGHT / FOR YOU / TWIST AND SHOUT

No other set details known. Above very partial setlist known from the recollections of fans present. "Night" opens the set, "Twist And Shout" is the final encore. Venue had a capacity of 4,000 in its concert seating mode. A Brucebase reader who attended reports it was a near sellout, with Bruce dressed in a dark suit (no tie) and Clarence in a white “Panama” suit. Last known full band "Blinded By The Light" until the '99/00 Reunion Tour, where it will make a few appearances. include component="page" page="content_help_us" wrap="1"


 * 1976-04-13 - REC HALL, PENN STATE UNIVERSITY, UNIVERSITY PARK, PA**

NIGHT / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / IT’S MY LIFE / THUNDER ROAD / SHE’S THE ONE / BORN TO RUN / INCIDENT ON 57TH STREET / FRANKIE / BACKSTREETS / GROWIN’ UP / IT'S HARD TO BE A SAINT IN THE CITY / JUNGLELAND / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) / RAISE YOUR HAND / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) / DETROIT MEDLEY / QUARTER TO THREE / TWIST AND SHOUT

The most frenzied ticket demand show on this final “Chicken Scratch” leg of the Born To Run Tour - people camped out overnight on the Penn State campus for tickets. Bruce slips a couple lines from "Talk To Me" into the introduction of "She's The One". "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" includes a snippet of "Theme From Shaft" in the midsection. Following the show it was reported in the //Daily Collegian// that Springsteen's road manager Richard (Rick) Seguso was arrested and charged with harassment, simple assault and resisting arrest follow events at the concert. Click the date/location link above for more details.

Audience tape available on CDR from Joe Kivak's master cassettes 'Penn State '76' (Fanatic). Seemingly the complete show is captured with just a couple of minor glitches.


 * 1976-04-15 - SYRIA MOSQUE, PITTSBURGH, PA**

NIGHT / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / IT'S MY LIFE / THUNDER ROAD / SHE'S THE ONE / BORN TO RUN / INCIDENT ON 57TH STREET / FRANKIE / BACKSTREETS / GROWIN' UP / FOR YOU / IT'S HARD TO BE A SAINT IN THE CITY / JUNGLELAND / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) / RAISE YOUR HAND / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) / DETROIT MEDLEY / QUARTER TO THREE / TWIST AND SHOUT

The above-mentioned twenty-song setlist is courtesy of the best recollection of Brucebase reader Mike, who further comments, “We thought the show had ended after the second encore. We were outside when we heard the crowd go wild. We ran back inside and found the band back on stage, plugging in, with all the house lights on. They must have played “Twist And Shout” for ten minutes. When they finished, they appeared ready to do another number when one of the ladies who ushered the Mosque walked up behind Bruce, tapped him on the shoulder and motioned with her finger "no more". It was a perfect comic ending, as Bruce acted frightened and ran off stage with the others while this 60-year old meanie stood there with her hands on her broad hips”. A glowing review in the //Beaver County Times// corroborates these setlist recollections.

There is no circulating audio from this show.


 * 1976-04-16 - CAMPUS CENTER, ALLEGHENY COLLEGE, MEADVILLE, PA**

JUNGLELAND / BORN TO RUN / DETROIT MEDLEY

The above-mentioned three songs are known to have been performed via a (not so complimentary) review of the show in the school’s newspaper. During the finale Bruce was jokingly carried of the stage in a stretcher…only to return for one more song (likely “Quarter To Three”, although the title is not mentioned).

There is no known audio.


 * 1976-04-17 - LOUIS A. ALEXANDER PALESTRA, UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER, ROCHESTER, NY**

NIGHT / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / IT'S MY LIFE / THUNDER ROAD / SHE'S THE ONE / BORN TO RUN / INCIDENT ON 57TH STREET / FRANKIE / BACKSTREETS / GROWIN' UP / IT'S HARD TO BE A SAINT IN THE CITY / JUNGLELAND / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) / RAISE YOUR HAND / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) / DETROIT MEDLEY / QUARTER TO THREE

The above setlist was sent to Brucebase following a plea for information on the Usenet newsgroup RMAS (//rec.music.artists.springsteen//). It came from someone who discovered their long lost setlist notes handwritten on the night. Click the date/location link above for reviews of the show from the University of Rochester's student newspaper //Campus Times//, and the city's major daily, the //Rochester Democrat and Chronicle//.

No circulating audio.


 * 1976-04-20 - FREEDOM HALL CIVIC CENTER, JOHNSON CITY, TN**

SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / BORN TO RUN / SHE'S THE ONE / JUNGLELAND / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) / DETROIT MEDLEY / RAISE YOUR HAND / QUARTER TO THREE

Partial setlist details are known via a following day newspaper review in the //Johnson City Press-Chronicle//. Johnson City is the home of East Tennessee State University. However there was no school affiliation with this event. Freedom Hall had a capacity of 8,000+ but this gig was presented in the venue’s 3,500-seat “stage show mode”, with half the auditorium curtained and chairs installed on the floor. Due to limited advertising the attendance was less than 1,000.

No circulating audio.


 * 1976-04-21 - KNOXVILLE CIVIC AUDITORIUM, KNOXVILLE, TN**

NIGHT / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT / SHE’S THE ONE / THUNDER ROAD / BACKSTREETS / JUNGLELAND

Complete set details are not known, however the above-mentioned songs were definitely performed. The show opened with “Night”. Like the previous evening’s gig in Johnson City, this was another disappointing turnout, with only about 1,000 of the venue’s 2,500 available seats sold. Brucebase reader Mike (who also noted the small crowd turnout) reports, “I was near the stage and actually patted Bruce on the back when he jumped from the stage and wandered among the audience as he played his guitar. It will always be the best concert I’ve ever seen because of the incredible energy level, as well as the fantastic music and performance by the band.”

There is no known audio from this show. include component="page" page="content_help_us" wrap="1"


 * 1976-04-22 - BURRUSS AUDITORIUM, VIRGINIA TECH UNIVERSITY, BLACKSBURG, VA**

NIGHT / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / IT'S MY LIFE / THUNDER ROAD / SHE'S THE ONE / BORN TO RUN / INCIDENT ON 57TH STREET / FRANKIE / BACKSTREETS / GROWIN' UP / IT'S HARD TO BE A SAINT IN THE CITY / JUNGLELAND / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) / RAISE YOUR HAND / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) / DETROIT MEDLEY / TWIST AND SHOUT

A sellout, held in the 3,000-seat Burruss Auditorium. The above-mentioned 18-song setlist is likely to represent the complete show. A review of the show in the school newspaper (linked above) notes that “Detroit Medley” was played. However Bruce was not done yet - following "Detroit Medley" about half the crowd remained after everyone else had left, and the band returned to the stage for "Twist And Shout". “Frankie” makes its second-to-last confirmed appearance on this tour.

The only known source audio is a 16-song audience tape that ends with “4th Of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)”.


 * 1976-04-22 - TOWN HALL, BLACKSBURG, VA**

After his concert at Burruss Auditorium Springsteen scooted over to a well-known club called Town Hall to see Nils Lofgren perform. Reports from those present state that Nils asked Bruce to join him on stage but he declined, stating that he was just there for a guitar lesson. Some eight years later Lofgren would join the E Street Band for the mammoth Born In The USA Tour. There are also hazy reports that Bruce (and Clarence) **did** jam with Nils, but this can't be confirmed. include component="page" page="content_help_us" wrap="1"


 * 1976-04-24 - VARSITY GYM, APPALACHIAN STATE UNIVERSITY, BOONE, NC**

NIGHT / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / IT'S MY LIFE / BORN TO RUN / FRANKIE / BACKSTREETS / JUNGLELAND / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) / QUARTER TO THREE

The above-mentioned nine song titles are articulated in a post-concert review of this performance that appeared in A.S.U. Student Newspaper. There were an additional seven or eight songs performed, but the titles are not identified in the review, although it's likely they correspond to what was played at Virginia Tech two days earlier. This is the last verified live performance of “Frankie” for 23 years.

There is no known audio from this show.


 * 1976-04-26 - SOLDIERS & SAILORS MEMORIAL AUDITORIUM, CHATTANOOGA, TN**

TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / IT'S MY LIFE / SHE'S THE ONE / BORN TO RUN / INCIDENT ON 57TH STREET / **KITTY'S BACK** / BACKSTREETS / JUNGLELAND / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) / RAISE YOUR HAND / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) / DETROIT MEDLEY

No complete setlist details known. The above-mentioned 13-song partial setlist is the recollection of fans present. Jenny recalls that folks dancing in the aisles during the show were shutdown by security. This elicited boos from the audience, and provoked Bruce to make sarcastic comments about the staff from the stage. Joel, meanwhile, recalls that "the entire upper level of seating, all the way around the inside of the auditorium was curtained off. On the main floor there were two separate sections for seating. There were so few people there that only a few rows in the second section were used. The place really looked empty because it was. I was sitting stage left in the opera section, about four rows from the stage. The opera seating was only a few feet above the main floor level. When the band came out and started the first song, "Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out", I remember the stunned looks on everyone’s faces just below me in the audience. I won’t forget that I could see my brother sitting in the aisle directly in front of me about ten people away on the main floor. He was just as shocked as everyone else. It was electrifying."

The setlist is notable for a rare "Kitty's Back", the only known performance of the song in 1976. This gig was originally planned for the nearby (but smaller) Tivoli Theater, yet despite the change of location apparently less than 1,000 of the Memorial Auditorium's 3,850 tickets were sold. Springsteen and CBS publicist Glen Brunmen were interviewed the following afternoon by Nashville's //Tennessean// newspaper and Brunmen mentions the disappointing crowd turnout in Chattanooga. Bruce also jokingly mentions that their tour bus had traveled an hour out of Chattanooga on its way to Nashville when they had to turn around and go back - they'd forgotten Max Weinberg! Typically Bruce didn't let a small turnout affect his energy level. Brucebase reader Steve reports, “Bruce’s road crew came out before the start of the show and nailed a piece of plywood from the edge of the stage over the top of the security barricades. Bruce jumped off the stage and played in the crowd a number of times. The show still ranks as one of my all-time favorite concerts.”

There is no circulating audio for this show. include component="page" page="content_help_us" wrap="1"


 * 1976-04-28 - GRAND OLE OPRY HOUSE, NASHVILLE, TN**

GROWIN’ UP

Complete set details are not known. This two-hour show took place at the Grand Ole’ Opry’s 4,500-seat venue on the grounds of the then new Opryland U.S.A. Theme Park. Contrary to myth, this was not the first-ever rock show allowed inside the spiritual home of country music, with The Byrds having broken the ice in 1968 at the Opry’s former Ryman Auditorium location. An article in the Nashville Banner the following day (which mentions “Growin’ Up” as having been played) gave the concert a glowing review but reported a crowd turnout of only 3,000.

There is no audio from this show.


 * 1976-04-29 - ELLIS AUDITORIUM, MEMPHIS, TN**

NIGHT / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / IT'S MY LIFE / THUNDER ROAD / SHE'S THE ONE / BORN TO RUN / PRETTY FLAMINGO / INCIDENT ON 57TH STREET / GROWIN' UP / IT'S HARD TO BE A SAINT IN THE CITY / BACKSTREETS / JUNGLELAND / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) / RAISE YOUR HAND (with Eddie Floyd) / **KNOCK ON WOOD** - YUM YUM YUM (I WANT SOME) (with Eddie Floyd) / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) / DETROIT MEDLEY

Excellent set features Eddie Floyd guesting on "Raise Your Hand" and "Knock On Wood" (which includes the only known Springsteen rendition of "Yum Yum Yum (I Want Some)"). "Spirit In The Night" includes a line from "Stagger Lee" in the introduction. "She's The One" includes a brief intro rap. "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" includes "Theme From Shaft" in the midsection. It's after this particular show that Springsteen and Van Zandt take a cab out to Graceland, and Bruce jumps the gate in an attempt to meet Elvis, who is actually in Lake Tahoe. Bruce is escorted off the grounds by security. George "GK" Klein, host of a weekly show on Sirius Radio's Elvis Radio channel and close friend of Presley, has stated that Elvis was aware of Springsteen at the time, and liked him "'cause he was a rock 'n' roller".

Soundboard recording released on CD 'Knock On Wood' (Ragamuffin Records).


 * 1976-04-30 - BOUTWELL MEMORIAL AUDITORIUM, BIRMINGHAM, AL**

No set details known. Bruce's first ever appearance in Alabama. Held in the recently re-named, 5,000-seat Boutwell Auditorium (previously called Municipal Auditorium). Another very poor turnout, with less than 1,000 tickets sold. When Springsteen returned to Birmingham (and this same venue) on September 29, 1978 (this time to a full house) he recalled this 1976 gig and commented to the crowd: “We don't get down here too much... the last time we were down here you guys must’ve all been outta town”. include component="page" page="content_help_us" wrap="1"


 * 1976-05-03 - ROBINSON AUDITORIUM, LITTLE ROCK, AR**

TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / IT'S MY LIFE / THUNDER ROAD / SHE'S THE ONE / BORN TO RUN / PRETTY FLAMINGO / GROWIN' UP / IT'S HARD TO BE A SAINT IN THE CITY / BACKSTREETS / JUNGLELAND / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) / DETROIT MEDLEY

Bruce's first ever appearance in Arkansas. Details from someone who taped the show: "The set (with a couple of songs I cannot identify) included the above". Apparently the show only attracted 600 fans, and Bruce vowed never to return.

Audio tape. include component="page" page="content_help_us" wrap="1"


 * 1976-05-04 - MISSISSIPPI COLISEUM, JACKSON, MS**

No set details known. Bruce's first ever appearance in Mississippi. include component="page" page="content_help_us" wrap="1"


 * 1976-05-06 - MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM, SHREVEPORT, LA**

No set details known. Legendary 3,200-seat venue, home of the Louisiana Hayride radio broadcasts and the place where Elvis Presley and Hank Williams attained early fame. Unfortunately a very poor crowd turnout for Springsteen, with only a few hundred tickets sold. Brucebase reader Elaine, who attended, confirms, "Attendance was very sparse. We sat in the fourth or fifth row and there was no one behind us, I think about 200-300. But Bruce played for two hours and seemed to give it maximum effort".


 * 1976-05-08 - LSU ASSEMBLY CENTER, LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY, BATON ROUGE, LA**

No details known. Brucebase would love to know more about this show. include component="page" page="content_help_us" wrap="1"


 * 1976-05-09 - MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM THEATER, MOBILE, AL**

No set details known. Brucebase would love to know more about this show. Please note that the Mobile Municipal Auditorium (now the Mobile Civic Center) is comprised of three different facilities; a theater, an arena and an Exposition Hall. This concert (and the next night) took place in the small ~2,000 seat theater. include component="page" page="content_help_us" wrap="1"


 * 1976-05-10 - MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM THEATER, MOBILE, AL**

IT'S HARD TO BE A SAINT IN THE CITY / JUNGLELAND / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) / RAISE YOUR HAND / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) / QUARTER TO THREE

"Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" includes a snippet of "Theme From Shaft" in the midsection.

Soundboard recording which is comprised of the above incomplete set released on CD 'Down In Jungleland Vol 2' (Winged Wheel), minus "It's Hard To Be A Saint In The City". CD 'Prove It All Night' (Flashback) claims to feature soundboard tracks from this show, but it is believed they actually come from the April 7, 1976 show at the Allen Theatre in Cleveland.


 * 1976-05-11 - MEMORIAL COLISEUM, AUBURN UNIVERSITY, AUBURN, AL**

TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / IT'S MY LIFE / THUNDER ROAD / SHE'S THE ONE / BORN TO RUN / IT'S HARD TO BE A SAINT IN THE CITY / BACKSTREETS / JUNGLELAND / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT)

Partial setlist is known, with four or five additional songs intermingled throughout this set that are still unidentified. The concert is featured in the 1977 edition of The Glomerata, Auburn University's yearbook. Click the link above to view photos and a short review of the show. Apparently, only 1500 of the 4700 available tickets were sold, but the concert was still considered by many to be one of the best the University had seen in recent years.

No known audio. There is 19 minutes of silent Super-8 color film footage of excerpts of this show’s above-noted songs in circulation. This footage has been ‘married’ to previously circulating audio of the respective songs from the May 13 and April 26, 1976 shows and is available on the DVD ‘Bruce Springsteen: 8MM’ (Brucevideos Productions). include component="page" page="content_help_us" wrap="1"


 * 1976-05-13 - MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM, NEW ORLEANS, LA**

NIGHT / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / IT'S MY LIFE / THUNDER ROAD / SHE'S THE ONE / BORN TO RUN / PRETTY FLAMINGO / GROWIN' UP / IT'S HARD TO BE A SAINT IN THE CITY / BACKSTREETS / JUNGLELAND / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) / RAISE YOUR HAND / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) / **NEW ORLEANS** / DETROIT MEDLEY

"She's The One" includes a snippet of "Talk To Me" in the introduction. The show includes an interesting arrangement of "It's Hard To Be A Saint In The City" featuring some wonderful interplay between Bruce and Clarence. Possibly the longest known version at nearly seven minutes. "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" includes Roy playing about a minute of Bach's "Prelude No. 1 in C Major (BWV 846)" and a snippet of "Theme From Shaft" in the midsection. Also a very rare performance of the Gary U.S. Bonds early 60’s classic “New Orleans” (incorrectly listed as “Mississippi Queen” by many sources). Released on the CDR ‘Mississippi Boss’, a title referencing that mistaken song title, not the location of this gig. The audio tape was recorded from the seat shown in the ticket image (link above) and at one point Springsteen jumps off the stage right in front of the taper.

Audience tape of the complete 17-song set.


 * 1976-05-27 - EISENHOWER HALL AUDITORIUM, U.S. MILITARY ACADEMY, WEST POINT, NY**

NIGHT / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / IT'S MY LIFE / THUNDER ROAD / SHE'S THE ONE / BORN TO RUN / PRETTY FLAMINGO / GROWIN' UP / IT'S HARD TO BE A SAINT IN THE CITY / BACKSTREETS / JUNGLELAND / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) / RAISE YOUR HAND / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) / DETROIT MEDLEY

Bruce sings the opening lines of Lloyd Price's "Stagger Lee" as an introduction to "Spirit In The Night". Bruce slips a few lyrics from "Talk To Me" into the introduction to "She's The One". "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" includes Roy playing a bit of Bach's "Prelude No. 1 in C Major (BWV 846)" and a snippet of "Theme From Shaft" in the midsection. A fan remembers "Us commoners had to sit in the last five or six rows as the cadets, decked out in dress whites, had all of the rest of the theater. The sound was amazing. The big crescendos of "Growin' Up" seemed to move through us from left to right. I mentioned that to Bruce at the Stone Pony before Southside's May 30 radio broadcast and he said that Eisenhower Hall was supposed to be one of the best acoustic theaters in the country. I believe it."

Audience tape. Two recording sources are known to exist, available on CDR 'Military Night' (Fanatic) from the master cassettes (Mr. Anonymous). A second source was used to fill the gaps in the Mr. Anonymous tapes.


 * 1976-05-28 - HALSEY FIELD HOUSE, U.S. NAVAL ACADEMY, ANNAPOLIS, MD**

NIGHT / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / IT'S MY LIFE / THUNDER ROAD / SHE'S THE ONE / BORN TO RUN / PRETTY FLAMINGO / GROWIN' UP / IT'S HARD TO BE A SAINT IN THE CITY / BACKSTREETS / JUNGLELAND / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) / RAISE YOUR HAND / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) / DETROIT MEDLEY / **SEA CRUISE**

First known performance of Frankie Ford's "Sea Cruise" especially for the Naval Academy. Last show of the Chicken Scratch leg and final show of the Born to Run Tour.

We can say with some certainty that a taper was in the audience. To the best of our knowledge this tape exists but has never been released into the public domain.

End of the "Born to Run" tour


 * 1976-05-30 - THE STONE PONY, ASBURY PARK, NJ**

THIS TIME IT'S FOR REAL / GOT TO GET YOU OFF MY MIND / SWEETER THAN HONEY / HOW COME YOU TREAT ME SO BAD (with Lee Dorsey) / LITTLE BY LITTLE / THE FEVER (with Clarence Clemons) / BROKE DOWN PIECE OF MAN / IT AIN'T THE MEAT, IT'S THE MOTION (with Max Weinberg) / I CHOOSE TO SING THE BLUES / I DON'T WANT TO GO HOME (with Steven Van Zandt) / YOU MEAN SO MUCH TO ME (with Ronnie Spector) / HAVING A PARTY (with Bruce Springsteen and all performers)

Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes’ first concert with major public exposure hosted by Philadelphia radio station WMMR-FM and broadcast on syndicated stations throughout the northeastern US. This was effectively a celebration of the recent release of Southside’s debut album //I Don't Want To Go Home//. The producer of the album, Steven Van Zandt, was onstage playing rhythm guitar for most of the show. And what a lineup of guests it was! Bruce Springsteen joins for one song, the closing "Having A Party".

The entire show is available on the boots 'Beginnings' or 'Beginnings (and More)'. Black and white video footage shot from the audience also circulates.


 * 1976-06-12 - PUBLIC THEATER, NEW YORK CITY, NY**

No set details known. A private tenth birthday party for music magazine //Crawdaddy//. Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes perform as “house” band for the evening and towards the end of the show, at around 1am, Springsteen and most of the E Street Band hop onstage and perform half-an-hour of songs.

Allegedly semi-pro film footage exists, but none has circulated.


 * 1976-06-13 - SPRINGSTEEN APARTMENT, NEW YORK CITY, NY**

Bruce takes part in a 23-minute phone-in interview with DJ "Father" Bill Ayers that was broadcast live on New York City’s WPLJ-FM. Springsteen was at his apartment, Ayers at the radio station. Bruce talks about future plans.

The entire interview can be found on the two-CD set 'Darkness On The Air' (Mystic). include component="page" page="content_help_us" wrap="1"


 * 1976-06-21 - THE MAIN POINT, BRYN MAWR, PA**

No set details known. Two shows. Bruce turns up to watch Tone, a group headed by former E Street Band alumni David Sancious and Ernest “Boom” Carter. There are conflicting reports on whether Bruce took the stage during this evening, the confusion may stem from the fact that there were two shows on the night and Bruce may have performed at only one of them.

//In early 1976 Springsteen's manager Mike Appel had ambitious plans for Bruce. First, a live album to follow "Born To Run", and then a summer university tour with their own six-thousand capacity portable circus tent. However, Jon Landau convinced Springsteen that both concepts would be mistakes: too early in his career for a live album and the proposed tour would be a logistical nightmare. Springsteen wanted to work with both Appel and Landau while renegotiating his agreement with Appel, since Bruce required more equitable terms as well as complete control over his songs. However, Appel refused to renegotiate. In mid-June 1976 Bruce's representatives informed CBS that he was planning to enter the studio in August (without Appel) to start recording his fourth album, with Jon Landau serving as producer. Two weeks later, on July 2, Mike Appel responded with a letter informing Springsteen that no such recording sessions could take place; Bruce was subcontracted to Appel via Laurel Canyon Ltd., and the agreement that Springsteen signed obligated him to work with Appel and deliver his recordings to Laurel Canyon. On July 27 Springsteen filed a lawsuit in response, accusing Appel of fraud, breach of trust, and undue influence. Just two days later Appel countersued, alleging that Springsteen had breached his contract in a variety of ways. On September 15 a judge ruled that Springsteen would not be permitted to enter a recording studio until Appel's suit was resolved. His hands tied, Bruce had no choice - go back on the road.//


 * 1976-07-04 - THE STONE PONY, ASBURY PARK, NJ**

NIGHT / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT / KNOCK ON WOOD (with Southside Johnny)

Partial set list. Bruce and the E Street Band do an impromptu concert following a Southside Johnny gig. Many more songs were played according to the reader who submitted these details - concert included a break and started at around 12.30am. Brucebase reader Paul confirms that the set included "Knock On Wood", performed as a duet with Southside Johnny.


 * 1976-07-22 - CBS ANNUAL SALES CONVENTION, LOS ANGELES, CA**

THE FEVER / I DON’T WANT TO GO HOME

Convention promoted as ‘The Family Of Music-1976’ and featuring four artists from the corporate roster, each performing thirty to forty minute sets – Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes (who opened), Starcastle, Dave Mason and headliner The Jacksons (featuring Michael Jackson). Springsteen attended and made a guest appearance with Southside Johnny on guitar for "The Fever" and on duet vocals for "I Don't Want To Go Home". Needless to say Bruce received a nicer reception from the reps at this convention than he had before (see July 27, 1973 listing).

No circulating audio. Allegedly filmed by CBS, but no footage has ever surfaced.


 * 1976-08-01 - MONMOUTH ARTS CENTER, RED BANK, NJ**

NIGHT / RENDEZVOUS / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / IT'S MY LIFE / THUNDER ROAD / SHE'S THE ONE / BORN TO RUN / SOMETHING IN THE NIGHT / BACKSTREETS / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT (with The Miami Horns) / JUNGLELAND / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) / RAISE YOUR HAND (with The Miami Horns) / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) / SHE'S SURE THE GIRL I LOVE / YOU CAN'T SIT DOWN (with The Miami Horns)

The debut of the Miami Horns Quartet (line-up #1), featuring Carlo Novi (sax), Ed Manion (sax), Tony Pallagrosi (trumpet) and Rick Gazda (trumpet). The foursome came from Southside Johnny's Miami Horns outfit during a break in Southside's touring schedule. The show features the premiere of "Rendezvous" and "Something In The Night" - in just piano and organ backing form with the first version of the lyrics. First time that The Dovells' 1963 hit "You Can't Sit Down" is played and the only known version of "She's Sure The Girl I Love". "She's The One" also features a new introduction with Bruce on harmonica and a tale about the origin of the "Bo Diddley beat", stretching the length of the song to over eight minutes. "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" includes Roy playing a bit of Bach's "Prelude No. 1 in C Major (BWV 846)".

Audience tape released on CD 'First Rendezvous In Red Bank' (B Street) and transferred from Joe Kivak's master cassettes on CDR 'First Night at Monmouth Arts Center' (Fanatic).


 * 1976-08-02 - MONMOUTH ARTS CENTER, RED BANK, NJ**

NIGHT / RENDEZVOUS / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / IT'S MY LIFE / THUNDER ROAD / SHE'S THE ONE / BORN TO RUN / SOMETHING IN THE NIGHT / BACKSTREETS / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT (with The Miami Horns) / JUNGLELAND / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) / RAISE YOUR HAND (with The Miami Horns) / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) / YOU CAN'T SIT DOWN (with The Miami Horns)

Same set as the night before except the encores, and usually found in better quality. "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" includes the "Come A Little Bit Closer" introduction, Roy playing a bit of Bach's "Prelude No. 1 in C Major (BMV 846)", and a snippet of "Theme From Shaft" in the midsection.

Audience tape. Available on CD 'Second Rendezvous In Red Bank' (B Street) and from Joe Kivak's master cassettes on CDR 'Second Night at Monmouth Arts Center' (Fanatic).


 * 1976-08-03 - MONMOUTH ARTS CENTER, RED BANK, NJ**

NIGHT / RENDEZVOUS / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / IT'S MY LIFE / THUNDER ROAD / SHE'S THE ONE / BORN TO RUN / THE PROMISE / BACKSTREETS / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT (with The Miami Horns) / JUNGLELAND / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) / RAISE YOUR HAND (with The Miami Horns) / YOU CAN'T SIT DOWN (with The Miami Horns)

Live premiere of one of Bruce's finest songs, "The Promise", with different lyrics to later versions (not least the chorus is "it's a loser" rather than "thunder road"). "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" features an extended mariachi-style introduction, Roy playing a bit of Bach's "Prelude No. 1 in C Major (BWV 846)", and a snippet of "Theme From Shaft" in the midsection.

Audience tape released on CD 'Delivering The Promise' (B Street), CDR 'Third Rendezvous In Red Bank' (B Street) and from the master cassettes on CDR 'Third Night at Monmouth Arts Center' (Original Master Series-Mr. Anonymous Master).


 * 1976-08-05 - MONMOUTH ARTS CENTER, RED BANK, NJ**

NIGHT / RENDEZVOUS / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / IT'S MY LIFE / THUNDER ROAD / SHE'S THE ONE / BORN TO RUN / SOMETHING IN THE NIGHT / BACKSTREETS / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT (with The Miami Horns) / JUNGLELAND / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) / RAISE YOUR HAND (with The Miami Horns) / YOU CAN'T SIT DOWN (with The Miami Horns)

Same set as the previous night, apart from "Something In The Night" replacing "The Promise". "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" features Roy playing a bit of Bach's "Prelude No. 1 in C Major (BWV 846)" and a snippet of "Theme From Shaft" in the midsection.

Audience tape. Released on CDR 'Fourth Rendezvous In Red Bank' and from Joe Kivak's master cassettes 'Fourth Night at Monmouth Arts Center' (Fanatic).


 * 1976-08-06 - MONMOUTH ARTS CENTER, RED BANK, NJ**

NIGHT / RENDEZVOUS / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / IT'S MY LIFE / THUNDER ROAD / SHE'S THE ONE / BORN TO RUN / SOMETHING IN THE NIGHT / BACKSTREETS / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT (with The Miami Horns) / JUNGLELAND / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) / RAISE YOUR HAND (with The Miami Horns) / YOU CAN'T SIT DOWN (with The Miami Horns)

"Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" features Roy playing a bit of Bach's "Prelude No. 1 in C Major (BWV 846)" and a snippet of "Theme From Shaft" in the midsection.

Audience tape. Released on CDR 'Fifth Rendezvous In Red Bank' and transferred from the master cassettes on CDR 'Fifth Night at Monmouth Arts Center' (Fanatic-Original Master Series-Mr. Anonymous Master).


 * 1976-08-07 - MONMOUTH ARTS CENTER, RED BANK, NJ**

NIGHT / RENDEZVOUS / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / IT'S MY LIFE / THUNDER ROAD / SHE'S THE ONE / BORN TO RUN / SOMETHING IN THE NIGHT / BACKSTREETS / GROWIN' UP / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT (with The Miami Horns) / JUNGLELAND / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) / RAISE YOUR HAND (with The Miami Horns) / YOU CAN'T SIT DOWN (with The Miami Horns) / QUARTER TO THREE

"Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" features Roy playing a bit of Bach's "Prelude No. 1 in C Major (BWV 846)" and a snippet of "Theme From Shaft" in the midsection.

Audience tape. Two recording sources are available, the first released on CDR 'Sixth Rendezvous In Red Bank', and from Joe Kivak's master cassettes 'Sixth Night at Monmouth Arts Center' (Fanatic). A second source is in limited circulation (Mr. Anonymous). Some, or all, of this show was filmed in colour, possibly by Barry Rebo. The complete "Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out" was shown by Thom Zimny at the Rock 'n' Rock Hall Of Fame discussion in June 2009 and again at "An Evening With Thom Zimny" in September 2014. Reports indicate three cameras were used, but only two are visible in the footage that circulates amongst fans. Parts of "It's My Life" and "Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out" are seen in //The Promise: The Making Of The Darkness On The Edge Of Town// documentary in October 2010. Edited video of "Something In The Night" is officially released on the //Darkness// box set in November 2010 with the final verse missing, for reasons unknown. The missing verse is below. Springsteen would later include a slightly altered version of the third line in //River// outtake "Take 'Em As They Come".

//And now you people out on the island drinkin' tequilas, you lock your doors and take your children by the hand// //Put on your black dress baby, because tonight the devil will walk these streets like a man// //I don't know about you, but I'm gonna, I'm gonna bring along my switchblade, in case that fool wants to fight// //If he wants me tell him I'll be running down the highway, chasing something in the night// // (courtesy www.springsteenlyrics.com) //

Two days after this show Springsteen's lawsuit with Mike Appel begins, with the first hearing. Judge Arnold L. Fein awards a preliminary injunction against Springsteen, preventing him entering a recording studio with Jon Landau.


 * 1976-08-21 - PALACE THEATER, WATERBURY, CT**

NIGHT / RENDEZVOUS / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / IT'S MY LIFE / THUNDER ROAD / SHE'S THE ONE / BORN TO RUN / SOMETHING IN THE NIGHT / BACKSTREETS / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT (with The Miami Horns) / JUNGLELAND / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) / RAISE YOUR HAND (with The Miami Horns) / YOU CAN'T SIT DOWN (with The Miami Horns)

"Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" includes Roy playing a minute of Bach’s "Prelude No. 1" from "The Well-Tempered Clavier" in the band introductions and a snippet of "Theme From Shaft" in the midsection.

Audience tape of good quality with a very enthusiastic crowd, and soundboard for the last three tracks. The three soundboard tracks are on CD 'Deep Down In The Vaults' (E St Records). Collectors should note that the soundboard recording available on CD 'Palace Theater'(Joker) is actually a re-arranged version of August 22. The full, unedited show is available as an audience recording form the master tapes (Mr. Anonymous) on CDR 'Palace In Waterbury' via Fanatic Records. This release patches "Born To Run" from another source but it is unconfirmed if the patch used is actually from this show. CDR 'Waterbury 76' also circulates, which has some tracks from another show grafted on the end. There is apparently around ten minutes of silent Super 8 footage in existence from this show, but does not appear to be in general circulation.


 * 1976-08-22 - SPRINGFIELD CIVIC CENTER, SPRINGFIELD, MA**

NIGHT / RENDEZVOUS / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / IT'S MY LIFE / THUNDER ROAD / SHE'S THE ONE / BORN TO RUN / SOMETHING IN THE NIGHT / BACKSTREETS / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT (with The Miami Horns) / JUNGLELAND / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) / RAISE YOUR HAND (with The Miami Horns) / YOU CAN'T SIT DOWN (with The Miami Horns)

Although only starting with Springsteen & The E Street Band on August 1, this is the final performance for the Miami Horns Quartet (line-up #1), who must leave to re-join Southside Johnny on tour. Please note that these four guys comprised the entire Jukes Miami Horns line-up at the time. There were no other musicians. They expanded to a five-piece in November 1976 with the addition of Richie "La Bamba" Rosenberg, but between April and November 1976, these four players were the Jukes Miami Horns. The Jukes were off the road while Southside recovered from illness. "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" includes Roy playing a minute of Bach’s "Prelude No. 1" from "The Well-Tempered Clavier" in the band introductions and a snippet of "Theme From Shaft" in the midsection.

A fan present comments, //"So we sit patiently waiting for the band, with no idea what is about to hit us. After a seemingly endless wait, the lights dim and the band comes out and Bam! they burst into "Night" - such a powerhouse version that I can still feel the buzz from it when I think about it. That song is never mentioned as one of the great Springsteen tunes, but since that time, I've always regarded it as one of his finest. I've been a huge rock music fan for all of my life - since those days, I've been a music critic and written hundreds of articles and thousands of reviews and have bought well over ten thousand records and CDs. I've played in my own band, recorded multiple CDs, and run an independent record label, and after all this, I still think of that show as the point where I first saw something that I've only seen a handful of other times: what real rock and roll is."//

Soundboard recording and audience tape. For several years, the soundboard had the honour of being the most misdated one. In April 2015 an audience tape (JEMS) from this date was located that finally confirms once and for all that the soundboard recording indeed dates from August 22. The soundboard does not include the final three songs listed above, but they can be heard on the audience tape confirming that the setlist is identical to the previous night's show in Waterbury, CT. The soundboard was first booted many years ago on the old vinyls 'Cry Me a River', 'Live in Philadelphia I and II', and 'Streets of Fire', the last of which was probably the source for the 'Streets of Life' (Flashback World Productions) CD. The audience tape is mostly complete, but the majority of between-song chat and applause is missing. The CD 'Arena Rock' purports to be a complete soundboard of October 25 at the Spectrum in Philadelphia (see listing), but in fact it simply grafts Ed Sciaky's introduction and the encores from that date onto this tape. The CDs 'Palace Theater' (Wild Card) and 'Deep Down in the Vaults' incorrectly date the soundboard to August 21, Palace Theater, Waterbury, CT. The soundboard recording is also available on CDs 'Down In Jungleland Vol. 1' (Winged Wheel), 'Domino' (Dasuye / Odeon Records), and 'Live USA: The Boss Keeps Rockin' Vol. 2' (Imtrat), and CDRs 'Live In Philadelphia' (misdated) and 'Springfield Rock City'.


 * 1976-09-04 - THE STONE PONY, ASBURY PARK, NJ**

I DON'T WANT TO GO HOME / HAVING A PARTY

Bruce (along with Steven Van Zandt) guests at a Labor Day weekend Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes gig at The Stone Pony. Springsteen shares lead vocals with Southside on both songs listed above, while Van Zandt plays guitar during the second set.

Audience tape (Unbooted).

Start of the Lawsuit Tour code September 26, 1976 - March 25, 1977

THE E STREET BAND Bruce Springsteen (vocals, guitar, harmonica) Roy Bittan (piano, keyboards) Clarence Clemons (tenor, baritone, and soprano saxophones, backing vocals, percussion) Danny Federici (organ, accordion, glockenspiel, piano) Garry Tallent (bass, percussion) Steven Van Zandt (guitar, backing vocals) Max Weinberg (drums)

John Binkley (trumpet) Ed De Palma (saxophone) Dennis Orlock (trombone) Steve Paraczky (trumpet, flugelhorn) code


 * 1976-09-26 - ARIZONA VETERANS MEMORIAL COLISEUM, PHOENIX, AZ**


 * NIGHT** / **RENDEZVOUS** / **SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT** / **IT'S MY LIFE** / **THUNDER ROAD** / **SHE'S THE ONE** / **BORN TO RUN** / **SOMETHING IN THE NIGHT** (with Steve Paraczky) / **BACKSTREETS** / **TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT** (with The Miami Horns) / **JUNGLELAND** / **ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT)** / **4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY)** / **RAISE YOUR HAND** (with The Miami Horns) / **GROWIN' UP** / **YOU CAN'T SIT DOWN** (with The Miami Horns)

A second court hearing occurs on September 15, where Judge Fein's original injunction regarding Jon Landau is upheld. Unable to record, Bruce heads back on the road.

First official show of the Lawsuit Tour and the debut of the Miami Horns Quartet line-up #2, featuring Ed De Palma (saxophone), John Binkley (trumpet), Steve Paraczky (trumpet), and Dennis Orlock (trombone). Despite the name, this Philadelphia-based foursome has no affiliation with Southside Johnny's band. The group will be a permanent fixture until the tour ends in March 1977, although they're only heard on a few songs each night. "Something In The Night" now features a trumpet accompaniment. "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" includes Roy playing about a minute of Bach's "Prelude No. 1 in C Major (BWV 846)" and a snippet of "Theme From Shaft" in the midsection.

Audience tape (Unbooted).


 * 1976-09-29 - SANTA MONICA CIVIC AUDITORIUM, SANTA MONICA, CA**

NIGHT / RENDEZVOUS / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / IT'S MY LIFE / THUNDER ROAD / SHE'S THE ONE / SOMETHING IN THE NIGHT (with Steve Paraczky) / BACKSTREETS / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT (with The Miami Horns) / JUNGLELAND / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) / RAISE YOUR HAND (with The Miami Horns) / **THE PROMISE** / BORN TO RUN

"The Promise" returns for the first time since the premiere in Red Bank on August 3, and now has different lyrics. "Born To Run" moves into the encores. "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" includes the lyric "I ain't no freak, 'cause my face has been on the cover of Time and Newsweek", along with Roy playing about a minute of Bach's "Prelude No. 1 in C Major (BWV 846)" and a snippet of "Theme From Shaft" in the midsection. The show is later the subject of a very complimentary review in //Billboard// magazine, which closes with the words "...this might be the best band on the road today". Click the link above to read.

Audience tape available on CDR 'Santa Monica 76 First Night' and a low generation tape transfer as the 'DS Archives Volume 12' (mjk5510).


 * 1976-09-30 - SANTA MONICA CIVIC AUDITORIUM, SANTA MONICA, CA**

Soundcheck: includes THUNDER ROAD (multiple takes; instrumental)

NIGHT / RENDEZVOUS / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / IT'S MY LIFE / THUNDER ROAD / SHE'S THE ONE / SOMETHING IN THE NIGHT (with Steve Paraczky) / BACKSTREETS / GROWIN' UP / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT (with The Miami Horns) / JUNGLELAND / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) / RAISE YOUR HAND (with The Miami Horns) / THE PROMISE / BORN TO RUN

"She's The One" includes a couple lines from "Talk To Me" in the introduction. "Growin' Up" features a story in the break for the first time (a short one, about Springsteen's signing with Columbia Records). "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" includes a snippet of "Theme From Shaft" in the midsection.

Audience tape released on CDR 'Unbooted'', Santa Monica '76 Second Night' and a low generation tape transfer on 'DS Archives Volume 13' (mjk5510).


 * 1976-09-30 - THE ROXY THEATRE, WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA**

A TEENAGER IN LOVE

Springsteen and Steven Van Zandt make an unannounced guest appearance (on background vocals) during an encore at Dion DiMucci's second (late) show at The Roxy. Dion introduces the pair as “honorary Belmonts”. Bruce had first met Dion in October 1975 while visiting a Spector-Dion recording session in LA. However Steven Van Zandt, while touring as a member of the backing band for '50s vocal group The Dovells, had actually played guitar in Dion’s backing band at a show in Miami, Florida on December 31, 1972, that trip (according to Steve) being the original source of the nickname “Miami” Steve. Lee Foy, saxophonist with Dion's newly-assembled Streetheart Band, recalls: "Our opening show took place in Los Angeles at the Roxy Theatre. The show was well received. But because we were basically a new group it wasn't that polished. However, it wasn't terrible either. In fact Bruce Springsteen was in the audience and came backstage to offer some constructive criticism which we accepted and put to use."

No known audio. include component="page" page="content_help_us" wrap="1"


 * 1976-10-02 - PARAMOUNT THEATRE, OAKLAND, CA**

NIGHT / RENDEZVOUS / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / IT'S MY LIFE / THUNDER ROAD / SHE'S THE ONE / SOMETHING IN THE NIGHT (with Steve Paraczky) / BACKSTREETS / GROWIN' UP / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT (with The Miami Horns) / JUNGLELAND / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) / THE PROMISE

The //Modesto Bee// lists a number of songs that were played, the only one not on the audience tape being "The Promise", which is played solo on the piano. Bruce slips a few lyrics from "Talk To Me" into the introduction to "She's The One". "Growin' Up" includes a story about signing his first record deal. "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" includes a snippet of "Theme From Shaft" in the midsection.

Incomplete audience tape (Unbooted).


 * 1976-10-03 - TOSO PAVILION, SANTA CLARA UNIVERSITY, SANTA CLARA, CA**

No setlist details known. Held in the school’s 5,000-seat Toso Pavilion. University Archives records indicate it contracted Springsteen & The E Street Band for this concert for just $7,000.


 * 1976-10-05 - SANTA BARBARA COUNTY BOWL, SANTA BARBARA, CA**

NIGHT / RENDEZVOUS / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / IT'S MY LIFE / THUNDER ROAD / SHE'S THE ONE / SOMETHING IN THE NIGHT (with Steve Paraczky) / BACKSTREETS / GROWIN' UP / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT (with The Miami Horns) / JUNGLELAND / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) / RAISE YOUR HAND (with The Miami Horns) / BORN TO RUN

Bruce slips a few lyrics from "Talk To Me" into the introduction to "She's The One". "Growin' Up" features the spaceman story. "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" includes a snippet of "Theme From Shaft" in the midsection.

Audience tape available on CDR.


 * 1976-10-09 - ATHLETIC & CONVOCATION CENTER, UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME, SOUTH BEND, IN**

NIGHT / RENDEZVOUS / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / IT'S MY LIFE / THUNDER ROAD / SHE'S THE ONE / SOMETHING IN THE NIGHT (with Steve Paraczky) / BACKSTREETS / GROWIN' UP / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT (with The Miami Horns) / JUNGLELAND / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) / RAISE YOUR HAND (with The Miami Horns) / THE PROMISE / BORN TO RUN

Bruce's first ever appearance in Indiana. During the introduction to "She's The One", Bruce whispers a few lyrics from "Talk To Me". "Something In The Night" appears to have a slightly different arrangement; however only the second half of the song circulates. "Growin' Up" features the spaceman story. "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" includes a snippet of "Theme From Shaft" in the midsection.

Audience tape. Also available on LP 'It's Only RNR' which also has "Jungleland" on it. Available on CDRs 'It's Only Rock 'n' Roll', 'Cashed In Dreams' (Fanatic) & 'Cashed In Dreams (Remastered Edition)' (Fanatic).


 * 1976-10-10 - MILLETT HALL, MIAMI UNIVERSITY, OXFORD, OH**

NIGHT / RENDEZVOUS / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / IT'S MY LIFE / THUNDER ROAD / SHE'S THE ONE / SOMETHING IN THE NIGHT / BACKSTREETS / GROWIN' UP / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT / JUNGLELAND / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) / RAISE YOUR HAND / THE PROMISE / BORN TO RUN

Setlist is the same as the previous night. Click the link above to view a set of interesting cuttings from the University's newspaper, //The Student//.

Unfortunately, all available audio attributed to this date has been proven to emanate from a soundboard recording of the August 22, 1976 show at the Springfield Civic Center in Springfield, MA. As far as we know, there is no known audio of this show circulating. Therefore, there is some doubt about the accuracy of the above setlist.




 * 1976-10-12 - RUTGERS GYM, RUTGERS UNIVERSITY, NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ**

NIGHT / RENDEZVOUS / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / IT'S MY LIFE / THUNDER ROAD / SHE'S THE ONE / SOMETHING IN THE NIGHT (with Steve Paraczky) / BACKSTREETS / GROWIN' UP / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT (with The Miami Horns) / JUNGLELAND / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) / RAISE YOUR HAND (with The Miami Horns) / THE PROMISE / BORN TO RUN

"Growin' Up" features the spaceman story. "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" includes a snippet of "Theme From Shaft" in the midsection.

Audience tape. Available on CDR 'New Brunswick 76' and now also on 'Shut Out The Lights And Steal Away' which is the full show from best available sources. The original circulating tapes do not include "Growin' Up" and finish with "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)".


 * 1976-10-13 - WILKINS THEATRE, KEAN COLLEGE, UNION, NJ**

Soundcheck: SHE'S THE ONE / BACKSTREETS (total time 12.14)

NIGHT / RENDEZVOUS / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / IT'S MY LIFE / THUNDER ROAD / SHE'S THE ONE / SOMETHING IN THE NIGHT (with Steve Paraczky) / BACKSTREETS / GROWIN' UP / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT (with The Miami Horns) / JUNGLELAND / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) / RAISE YOUR HAND (with The Miami Horns) / THE PROMISE / BORN TO RUN

During the introduction to "She's The One" Bruce whispers a few lyrics from "Talk To Me", some years before Springsteen and Southside Johnny would record the song in the studio. "Growin' Up" features the spaceman story. "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" includes a snippet of "Theme From Shaft" in the midsection.

Audience tape available on CDR 'Union 76', which runs slow and seems to suffer from cuts. Subsequently an upgrade surfaced titled 'This Is For The Bad Girls' (Kivak) which has been speed corrected and apparently has no cuts, but still sounds a little slow.


 * 1976-10-16 - WILLIAM & MARY HALL, THE COLLEGE OF WILLIAM AND MARY, WILLIAMSBURG, VA**

NIGHT / RENDEZVOUS / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / IT'S MY LIFE / THUNDER ROAD / SHE'S THE ONE / SOMETHING IN THE NIGHT (with Steve Paraczky) / BACKSTREETS / GROWIN' UP / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT (with The Miami Horns) / JUNGLELAND / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) / RAISE YOUR HAND (with The Miami Horns) / THE PROMISE / BORN TO RUN

The scheduled 8pm start was delayed by an hour due to a late soundcheck. Set is identical to the previous four shows. Bruce slips a few lyrics from "Talk To Me" into the introduction to "She's The One". "Growin' Up" features the spaceman story. "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" includes a snippet of "Theme From Shaft" in the midsection. Click the link above to read an extensive review of the concert in the school newspaper //The Flat Hat//. An attendee writes (printed on the //Richmond Times-Dispatch// website): //"We all camped out for two days and nights creating our own little world with two dozen others on the William & Mary Hall steps, then in the foyer, to get front and center tickets. We had proxies stand in for us while we went to (some) classes. The night of the concert was totally worth it when Bruce came right down into the audience to us and sang "Jungleland" and joined us in an arm-in-arm group dance."//

Audience tape.


 * 1976-10-17 - McDONOUGH ARENA, GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY, WASHINGTON, DC**

NIGHT / RENDEZVOUS / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / IT'S MY LIFE / THUNDER ROAD / SHE'S THE ONE / SOMETHING IN THE NIGHT (with Steve Paraczky) / BACKSTREETS / GROWIN' UP / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT (with The Miami Horns) / JUNGLELAND / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) / RAISE YOUR HAND (with The Miami Horns)

Bruce slips a few lyrics from "Talk To Me" into the introduction to "She's The One". "Growin' Up" features a version of the spaceman story. "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" includes a snippet of "Theme From Shaft" in the midsection.

Audience tape. Setlist now more complete, although the tape still misses the final songs, likely to be "The Promise" and "Born To Run". Appears to be a radio broadcast or a audience tape faked up to be a radio broadcast.


 * 1976-10-18 - McDONOUGH ARENA, GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY, WASHINGTON, DC**

GROWIN' UP / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT (with The Miami Horns) / JUNGLELAND / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) / RAISE YOUR HAND (with The Miami Horns) / YOU CAN'T SIT DOWN (with The Miami Horns) / THE PROMISE / BORN TO RUN

Incomplete setlist. "Growin' Up" contains an (apparently) unique //The Exorcist//-inspired story, with Springsteen's '57 Chevy becoming possessed by a new Toyota and a "Tubular Bells" backing replacing the usual piano riff. The famous steps scene in //The Exorcist// was filmed in Georgetown, just a short distance from the University. "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" includes a snippet of "Theme From Shaft" in the midsection.

Audience tape of poor quality, which cuts in during "Growin' Up".


 * 1976-10-22 - THE HANGER, HAZLET, NJ**

NEW ORLEANS / DEAR LADY TWIST / TWIST, TWIST, SENORA / SCHOOL IS IN / QUARTER TO THREE

Complete setlist details are not known. Brucebase has placed the venue as The Hanger in Hazlet on the basis of a newspaper advert from the Red Bank Register on the day of the concert. Previous information suggested the venue was Fat City in Seaside Heights. If you have any more information about this please get in touch. A discreet Springsteen turns up (apparently as just another paying customer) at a gig by one of his early '60s musical favourites, Gary U.S. Bonds. About half way through the show Bruce takes the stage, borrows a guitar and provides duet-background vocals for the rest of the show. According to Bonds, Bruce played for nearly an hour. This was the first time Springsteen and Bonds had ever met. Afterwards Springsteen invites Bonds to guest at his show on October 29. In an early 1980s interview Bonds commented: “I was playing down along the Jersey shore. One night the owner of the club came over to me during the show and mentioned that Bruce Springsteen was in the audience and wanted to come up and play. Bruce who? I didn’t recognize the name! But the guys in my band did, so I said OK. When I introduced him the place went crazy… and I’m saying to myself, ‘gee, what on earth is happening here’? After the show Bruce gave me an invitation and about a week or so later I sang during one of his shows”.

There is no known audio. include component="page" page="content_help_us" wrap="1"


 * 1976-10-25 - SPECTRUM, PHILADELPHIA, PA**

NIGHT / RENDEZVOUS / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / IT'S MY LIFE / THUNDER ROAD / SHE'S THE ONE / SOMETHING IN THE NIGHT (with Steve Paraczky) / BACKSTREETS / GROWIN' UP / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT (with The Miami Horns) / JUNGLELAND / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) (with The Miami Horns) / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) / **A FINE FINE GIRL** (with The Miami Horns) / RAISE YOUR HAND (with The Miami Horns) / THE PROMISE / BORN TO RUN

Show features Bruce’s earliest known cover of the Darlene Love-Phil Spector classic “A Fine Fine Girl”. "Growin' Up" includes a version of the spaceman story featuring Ed Sciaky. "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" features a snippet of "Theme From Shaft" in the midsection. This gig has traditionally been noted in books as Springsteen’s first-ever large indoor arena concert as a headliner - however, in reality the Springsteen show at Vets Memorial Coliseum in Phoenix on September 26 probably deserves that title. Click the link above to see some wonderful high-resolution photos, courtesy of Cliff Breining.

Audience tape and partial soundboard, two audience recording sources circulate. A soundboard recording of the encores was released on the CD boot ‘Arena Rock’ (Palace), which is otherwise primarily the soundboard tape from August 22 show. A soundboard recording of "Growin' Up" also exists, probably sourced from Ed Sciaky's radio show. The complete audience recording is available on CDR as part of the Original Master Series. A second source was released as part of the 'DS Archives Volume Fourteen' (mjk5510), missing the last five songs. Nearly fourteen minutes of semi-pro color film footage of excerpts of "Jungleland” and “Born To Run” from this show are in circulation and can be found (with rough soundboard audio) on the DVD ‘Bruce Springsteen: 8MM’ (Brucevideos).


 * 1976-10-27 - SPECTRUM, PHILADELPHIA, PA**

NIGHT / RENDEZVOUS / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / INCIDENT ON 57TH STREET / THUNDER ROAD / SHE'S THE ONE / SOMETHING IN THE NIGHT (with Steve Paraczky) / BACKSTREETS / GROWIN' UP / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT (with The Miami Horns) / JUNGLELAND / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) (with The Miami Horns) / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) / A FINE FINE GIRL (with The Miami Horns) / RAISE YOUR HAND (with The Miami Horns) / THE PROMISE / BORN TO RUN

"Something In The Night" features a rewritten last verse which is never used again. "Incident On 57th Street" returns to the set. Bruce again slips in a couple of lines from "Talk To Me" during the introduction to "She's The One", as he did on October 13. "Growin' Up" includes a story about a Catholic school teacher asking students, including Ed Sciaky and Bruce, what they want to be when they grow up. "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" features a snippet of "Theme From Shaft" in the midsection. This show was originally scheduled for October 26 - according to press reports this was due to Clarence Clemons moving to California and being in transit the day of the show. Other reports state this was due to Clarence filming a cameo appearance for the film //New York, New York//.

Audience tape and soundboard recording. Audience tape source is available on CD 'Spirit Of '76' and 'There's A Spirit Out There Tonight!' (Kivak Master Series). The soundboard recording is complete except "Backstreets" and "4th Of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)" - two tracks as indicated are cut, and "Born To Run" is out of sequence as it was the final track. The soundboard recording of the show is also available on a factory pressed two-CD set called 'Home Of The '76ers', released on the Godfather label.


 * 1976-10-28 - PALLADIUM, NEW YORK CITY, NY**

NIGHT / RENDEZVOUS / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / IT'S MY LIFE / THUNDER ROAD / SHE'S THE ONE / SOMETHING IN THE NIGHT (with Steve Paraczky) / BACKSTREETS / GROWIN' UP / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT / JUNGLELAND / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) (with The Miami Horns) / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) / A FINE FINE GIRL (with The Miami Horns) / RAISE YOUR HAND (with The Miami Horns) / THE PROMISE / BORN TO RUN

First show of a six-night stand at New York City's Palladium. "Something In The Night" returns to the first version. "Growin' Up" includes a story about Catholic school. "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" includes a snippet of "Theme From Shaft" in the midsection.

Audience tape. Two recording sources circulated, available on CDR from the master cassettes as part of the Original Master Series (Fanatic Records). A second source was put into circulation in March 2015 (mjk5510), "The Promise" from this source was also used on a bootleg single release of "The Promise / Because The Night".


 * 1976-10-29 - PALLADIUM, NEW YORK CITY, NY**

NIGHT / RENDEZVOUS / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / IT’S MY LIFE / THUNDER ROAD / SHE'S THE ONE / SOMETHING IN THE NIGHT (with Steve Paraczky) / BACKSTREETS / GROWIN’ UP / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT (with The Miami Horns) / JUNGLELAND / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) (with The Miami Horns) / QUARTER TO THREE (with Gary U.S. Bonds) / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) / RAISE YOUR HAND (with The Miami Horns) / THE PROMISE / BORN TO RUN

“Something In The Night” now arranged into third tour variation, with another rewritten last verse (utilized for the remainder of the tour). "Growin' Up" includes the spaceman story. "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" includes a snippet of "Theme From Shaft" in the midsection. Gary U.S. Bonds, whom Bruce had met for the first time a week or so before, guests on a moving “Quarter To Three”, which includes a bit of "Twistin' The Night Away" in the midsection.

Audience tape. Released on CDR 'Twisting The Night Away' (Red Rose) and also available on CDR from the master cassettes as part of the Original Master Series.


 * 1976-10-30 - PALLADIUM, NEW YORK CITY, NY**

NIGHT / RENDEZVOUS / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / IT'S MY LIFE / THUNDER ROAD / SHE'S THE ONE / SOMETHING IN THE NIGHT (with Steve Paraczky) / BACKSTREETS / GROWIN' UP / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT (with The Miami Horns) / JUNGLELAND / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) - LAND OF 1000 DANCES (with Patti Smith and The Miami Horns) / A FINE FINE GIRL (with The Miami Horns) / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) / RAISE YOUR HAND / THE PROMISE / BORN TO RUN

The only ever guest appearance by Patti Smith at a Springsteen concert, on a customized, one-off, arrangement of “Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)”. Brucebase reader Cliff comments: "I was on the floor taking pictures and saw a commotion in front of the stage… I don't think security knew who Patti Smith was. It took a minute or two before Bruce motioned to let her come up". Patti Smith rants/sings during a special interlude break in “Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)”, with the horns playing what sounds like the riff to "Shotgun" and Springsteen providing a "Land Of 1000 Dances" chant, as well as the usual "Theme From Shaft" snippet. "Growin' Up" features the spaceman story.

Audience tape. Available on CDR from the master cassettes as part of the Original Master Series (Fanatic Records).


 * 1976-11-02 - PALLADIUM, NEW YORK CITY, NY**

NIGHT / RENDEZVOUS / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / IT'S MY LIFE / THUNDER ROAD / SHE'S THE ONE / SOMETHING IN THE NIGHT (with Steve Paraczky) / BACKSTREETS / GROWIN' UP / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT (with The Miami Horns) / JUNGLELAND / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) (with The Miami Horns) / THE PROMISE / A FINE FINE GIRL (with The Miami Horns) / RAISE YOUR HAND (with The Miami Horns) / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) / BORN TO RUN

Final performance of "The Promise" for this tour. "Growin' Up" features a story about meeting Clarence - as a genie in a saxophone. "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" includes a snippet of "Theme From Shaft" in the midsection.

Audience tape. Available on CDR 'Just Kids Wasted On' and also available on CDR from the master cassettes as part of the Original Master Series (Fanatic Records). Additionally remastered as a four-CD set with November 3 as 'Palladium Nights - The Master Series Sources' (Ev2).


 * 1976-11-03 - PALLADIUM, NEW YORK CITY, NY**

NIGHT / RENDEZVOUS / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / IT'S MY LIFE / THUNDER ROAD / MONA - SHE'S THE ONE / SOMETHING IN THE NIGHT (with Steve Paraczky) / BACKSTREETS / GROWIN' UP / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT (with The Miami Horns) / JUNGLELAND / BE TRUE TO YOUR SCHOOL - ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) (with The Miami Horns) / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) / A FINE FINE GIRL (with The Miami Horns) / BORN TO RUN

Last known version of "A Fine Fine Girl", and the premiere of Bo Diddley's "Mona" in a medley with "She's The One". "Growin' Up" features the spaceman story. "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" includes a short section of "Be True To Your School" as an introduction and a snippet of "Theme From Shaft" in the midsection.

Audience tape. Available on CDR from the master cassettes as part of the "Original Master Series", and remastered on a four-CD set with November 2 as 'Palladium Nights - The Master Series Sources' (Ev2).


 * 1976-11-04 - PALLADIUM, NEW YORK CITY, NY**

NIGHT / RENDEZVOUS / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / IT'S MY LIFE / THUNDER ROAD / MONA - SHE'S THE ONE / SOMETHING IN THE NIGHT (with Steve Paraczky) / BACKSTREETS / GROWIN' UP / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT (with The Miami Horns) / JUNGLELAND / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) (with The Miami Horns) / **BABY, I LOVE YOU** (with Ronnie Spector) / **WALKING IN THE RAIN** (with Ronnie Spector) / **BE MY BABY** (with Ronnie Spector) / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) / **WE GOTTA GET OUT OF THIS PLACE** (with Steve Paraczky) / BORN TO RUN

Final show of a six-night run in New York City is one of the best gigs of the year, if not all-time. Carl D’Errico (co-writer of "It’s My Life") is in the audience and Bruce delivers one of his finest-ever performances of the song. A stunning cover of The Animals' "We Gotta Get Out Of This Place" is also featured, and to top it all off Ronnie Spector guests on three of her most famous Ronettes-era hits, all given inspired arrangements by the E Street Band. A pre-show bomb hoax results in Bruce jokingly asking the audience to look under their seats. "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" features a snippet of "Theme From Shaft" in the midsection. Bruce recites a tiny section of Joe Tex's "Hold What You've Got" after "Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out".

Soundboard recording, which is fortunate as this is quite a unique show. Originally released on boot vinyl LP 'Last Night In New York' (which has Bruce’s bomb scare rap intact) and more recently released on the CDRs 'We Gotta Get Outta This Place' or 'A Streak Of Light Through The Tunnel' and CD 'Paid The Cost To Be The Boss' (unknown label). In August 2011 an upgraded version of the second set emerged which does not dip in quality after "Jungleland", unlike all previous releases.

End of the first leg of the Lawsuit Tour


 * 1976-11-06 - RADIO STATION WNEW-FM, NEW YORK CITY, NY**

Bruce went up to WNEW-FM studios in New York the Saturday following his Palladium shows to sit in with DJ Richard Neer. It was an interview with Bruce picking out some records to play. The interview was very topical; reference was made to Bruce shaving his beard, wearing a suit at some performances, Clarence appearing in "New York, New York" etc. Neer also asked Bruce if he would ever play larger venues and Bruce mentions the shows at the Spectrum in Philadelphia. They also talk a bit about Jon Landau which segues into the fact that Landau produced Jackson Browne's "The Pretender" which was released that week and Neer plays a cut from that. Studio cuts were sequed into Bruce songs; "Bo Diddley" into "She's The One", "Mona" into "It's Hard To Be A Saint In The City". include component="page" page="content_help_us" wrap="1"


 * 1976-11-07 - THE D'ERRICO RESIDENCE, NEW YORK CITY, NY**

IT’S MY LIFE

Bruce visits songwriter Carl D’Errico for a home-cooked dinner and a little impromptu jamming. Carl (co-writer of The Animals’ 1965 hit “It’s My Life”), along with his wife Didi, had been VIP guests at Bruce’s November 4th Palladium gig, where Bruce had mentioned D’Errico to the audience prior to performing the song (it being a regular inclusion in Springsteen concerts at the time). According to interview comments by D’Errico, he and Bruce played a few things together when Bruce visited, including an acoustic rendition of “It's My Life”.


 * 1976-11-26 - BOTTOM LINE, NEW YORK CITY, NY**

Early Show: SLOWLY WALKING DOWN THE RIVER / MY CAR WAS INVISIBLE (CASE OF BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN) / PICTURE HANGING BLUES / WE'RE GONNA HAVE A REAL GOOD TIME TOGETHER / YOU CAN DIG IT / AIN'T IT STRANGE / MY GENERATION

Late Show: LAND - NOT FADE AWAY / FREE MONEY / YOU CAN DIG IT / AIN'T IT STRANGE / GLORIA / MY GENERATION

With Patti Smith. Bruce plays piano or guitar on all these tracks, a mixture of spoken word, poems and songs. At the early show, "Slowly Walking Down The River" and "My Car Was Invisible (Case Of Bruce Springsteen)" are improvised, semi-spoken-word pieces performed by Smith with Bruce on piano. "Picture Hanging Blues" features Bruce on piano and Lenny Kaye on guitar. The full Patti Smith Group joins starting on The Velvet Underground's "We're Gonna Have A Real Good Time Together", which features Bruce on piano. He returned later in the show to play guitar on several more songs, believed to have been those listed above. A fan present at the late show recalls "Bruce mostly played guitar since John Cale was on piano for most songs. A few of my photos do show Bruce at the piano however."

Audience tapes of both shows. An audience tape of the early show is available on CDR 'We're Gonna Have a Real Good Time Together' (Original Master Series), while the late show is available on CDR 'You Can Dig It' (Original Master Series). Both are transferred from the master cassettes.


 * 1976-12-00 - CBS STUDIOS, NEW YORK CITY, NY**

Sessions for Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes’ work-in-progress second album //This Time It’s For Real// (released in May 1977). Produced and arranged by Steven Van Zandt. Springsteen attended some of these December 1976-January 1977 sessions. According to Steven Van Zandt the two new Springsteen-Van Zandt co-authored songs (“Love On The Wrong Side Of Town” and “Little Girl So Fine”) were written, at least in part, during the times Bruce attended these sessions.

Springsteen may possibly have participated musically during some demo recordings but he is not found on any of the recordings ultimately issued on the album. include component="page" page="content_help_us" wrap="1"

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